Ash on food

[Meetsmoker]

Is it normal to have any amount of ash on the food. Seasoned the grill out of the box per the manual. Noticed there was some ash on the grills and all around when finished. Vacuumed everything out and am now smoking a brisket for the first use. One hour in and I see a little ash floating around. Some of which will get on the brisket. Is this normal?

 

[Slimpicker]

I did first few smokes I had...

 

[RemE]

Is it normal to have any amount of ash on the food. Seasoned the grill out of the box per the manual. Noticed there was some ash on the grills and all around when finished. Vacuumed everything out and am now smoking a brisket for the first use. One hour in and I see a little ash floating around. Some of which will get on the brisket. Is this normal?

Normal, ash is blown out of the firepot, the majority stays under the drip pan but some gets into the top chamber.

 

[Slimpicker]

Normal,

I am not!!!!

 

[JamesB]

Is it normal to have any amount of ash on the food. Seasoned the grill out of the box per the manual. Noticed there was some ash on the grills and all around when finished. Vacuumed everything out and am now smoking a brisket for the first use. One hour in and I see a little ash floating around. Some of which will get on the brisket. Is this normal?

I think it depends on the pellets. Traeger pellets seem to have a lot of ash, plus they are way overpriced, so I don’t use them.

 

[John S.]

Is it normal to have any amount of ash on the food. Seasoned the grill out of the box per the manual. Noticed there was some ash on the grills and all around when finished. Vacuumed everything out and am now smoking a brisket for the first use. One hour in and I see a little ash floating around. Some of which will get on the brisket. Is this normal?

The amount of ash seems to be effected by the adjustment of the drip tray I push it back against the rear vent that seems to diminish the amount of ash getting on the food…

 

[JamesB]

The amount of ash seems to be effected by the adjustment of the drip tray I push it back against the rear vent that seems to diminish the amount of ash getting on the food…

Maybe that’s why I don’t see any ash in the top chamber. I have always pushed the tray all the way to the back..

 

[abrent07]

I think it depends on the pellets. Traeger pellets seem to have a lot of ash, plus they are way overpriced, so I don’t use them.

What pellets do you use?

 

[Manannan]

Different set ups have different nuances, for example my Ironwood Gen 2 contains the ash better than my 575 Pro although ash contaminated is negligible once seasoned and run in a couple of times as long as they are kept clean. The Ironwood needs cleaning out more regularly than the 575 did otherwise I do notice it on the food..

Different pellets produce differing amount of ash, there are a couple of articles around showing the best and worst if you have a nose around. It is worth trying a few different pellet manufacturers.

I even found a particularly windy day can affect ash distribution, again the Ironwood seems less prone to this effect the point being that after a while you will soon work out what is normal and what isn't for your setup..

 

[RayClem]

If your pellets are dusty (Traeger pellets seem to be among the worst, so I do not use them) you can always screen them before placing them in the hopper. I use Lumberjack and Bear Mountain pellets (both made by the same company) and do not bother sifting them as the dust is manageable.

 

[mikeytee]

I use these from Amazon, mix in about 1/4 charcoal pellets, also a smoker tube just under the front of the grill. Haven't noticed much in the way of ashes. https://www.amazon.com/CookinPellet...749&sprefix=WOOD+PELLETS,aps,323&sr=8-17&th=1

 

[RayClem]

I use these from Amazon, mix in about 1/4 charcoal pellets, also a smoker tube just under the front of the grill. Haven't noticed much in the way of ashes. https://www.amazon.com/CookinPellets-40PM-Perfect-Mix/dp/B00819OICI/ref=sr_1_17?crid=UC0VI06NA560&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AhkgZ-wOwSzI2wN885bM_2EZjC7B25EhCUY1-36HTX0QwYqaJI6Vo7YVy2o_oCz2bfvcd5WYStHR-v_yPg8E835HN_GD5BiQ3Jw_xKkLeo5vNk53i2GPA6_XccBtxFEtn0DxEFC34R_EN7lY3XDv1NtdhO8h4Dpa0cW2tnClddA94UQwyskKyyFGbLu47CaPlZ6jyibtyX4OTO7rk2tWsELWwDjGEBOa2yvgrBN4cAg.RCV5qKYs4KtLikHUMPHs1X-V1lGEK83zg1vFJXXQwJk&dib_tag=se&keywords=wood+pellets+for+smoker&qid=1768359749&sprefix=WOOD+PELLETS,aps,323&sr=8-17&th=1

Your mix of 1/4 charcoal pellets is probably about right. If you use too much charcoal, the flavor of the meat might taste like coal. I learned the hard way.

 

[mikeytee]

Your mix of 1/4 charcoal pellets is probably about right. If you use too much charcoal, the flavor of the meat might taste like coal. I learned the hard way.

Your mix of 1/4 charcoal pellets is probably about right. If you use too much charcoal, the flavor of the meat might taste like coal. I learned the hard way

I use these from Amazon, mix in about 1/4 charcoal pellets, also a smoker tube just under the front of the grill. Haven't noticed much in the way of ashes. https://www.amazon.com/CookinPellets-40PM-Perfect-Mix/dp/B00819OICI/ref=sr_1_17?crid=UC0VI06NA560&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AhkgZ-wOwSzI2wN885bM_2EZjC7B25EhCUY1-36HTX0QwYqaJI6Vo7YVy2o_oCz2bfvcd5WYStHR-v_yPg8E835HN_GD5BiQ3Jw_xKkLeo5vNk53i2GPA6_XccBtxFEtn0DxEFC34R_EN7lY3XDv1NtdhO8h4Dpa0cW2tnClddA94UQwyskKyyFGbLu47CaPlZ6jyibtyX4OTO7rk2tWsELWwDjGEBOa2yvgrBN4cAg.RCV5qKYs4KtLikHUMPHs1X-V1lGEK83zg1vFJXXQwJk&dib_tag=se&keywords=wood+pellets+for+smoker&qid=1768359749&sprefix=WOOD+PELLETS,aps,323&sr=8-17&th=1

Actually, I posted the wrong link, it's the same brand but I don't buy a mix, I use the Hickory only pellets, burn good and no garbage in them. Total Hickory. Kind of pricey, but meat's too expensive to use junk. I made a mistake and bought some supposedly Hickory pellets on sale somewhere, nowhere near as good a flavor. I think they were Kingsford. These are much better. https://www.amazon.com/CookinPellet...8&sprefix=hickory+pellets,aps,159&sr=8-3&th=1

 

[mikeytee]

Actually, I posted the wrong link, it's the same brand but I don't buy a mix, I use the Hickory only pellets, burn good and no garbage in them. Total Hickory. Kind of pricey, but meat's too expensive to use junk. I made a mistake and bought some supposedly Hickory pellets on sale somewhere, nowhere near as good a flavor. I think they were Kingsford. These are much better. https://www.amazon.com/CookinPellet...8&sprefix=hickory+pellets,aps,159&sr=8-3&th=1

 

[RayClem]

If you see pellets labeled hickory blend, cherry blend, etc. , buyer beware. You might be getting mostly a base wood like oak or alder.

I have never used Cookin Pellets, but I have heard good things about them. I tend to use LumberJack pellets when I want pure oak, maple, hickory, or cherry. Bear Mountain is part of the same company as LumberJack and makes some great pellet blends.